Calvary United Methodist Church voted December 3, 2013, to shut down due to declining attendance. Just months after it officially celebrated its centennial, the remaining membership felt they had few options to consider.
Sadly, this church reflects the harsh reality that many South Florida church leaders are facing. While it is true that some churches seem to be thriving, an overwhelming majority are struggling.
Why are so many churches finding themselves on this precipice? Each church has its own unique story, but there are some common influences and factors such as: aging congregations, multiple cultural influences, unchurched culture, economic considerations, and confused vision and message.
The plight of struggling churches throughout South Florida isn’t a reality that I expected to face when I moved here from Raleigh, NC. I wonder often if what is happening here foreshadows the new landscape for American churches in the coming decades.
Statistical information and demographical studies tell only part of the story. If you look at South Florida’s church/population ratio, you might conclude that we have enough churches. However, if you move here, visit churches and talk to pastors, you will see that the reality doesn’t match that perception.
Palm Beach County alone is already 90-95% unreached and unchurched. We simply cannot maintain that it is the responsibility of existing churches to reach the 6.6 million who call South Florida home. Every month I meet with pastors of churches that are on the decline. These pastors are great men, but they are exhausted just trying to keep their doors open.
We need men called of God to help us with this important work of revitalizing and planting churches in South Florida. We need pioneers like John Paton who can’t ignore God’s call to reach the lost and who believe God can use them to do it.
This week’s headlines just remind me of the urgency of the Send SFL mission. Why don’t you join us at our 2014 Send SFL preview weekend to see for yourself if the South Florida mission field is calling your name?
Leave A Comment